Implantable medical device detachment system with split tube and cylindrical coupling

ABSTRACT

A detachment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel has a generally hollow distal tube. The distal tube includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a compressible portion of the tube itself, between the proximal and distal ends which is axially movable from a compressed to an elongated condition. A generally hollow proximal tube has a proximal end and a distal end. A coupling joins the proximal and distal tubes. An engagement system engages and deploys the implantable medical device engaged at the distal end of the distal tube. The engagement system moves the compressible portion to the compressed condition when engaging the implantable medical device, and deploys the implantable medical device and releases the compressible portion to the elongated condition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to interventional medical devicesystems that are navigable through body vessels of a human subject. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to detachment systems for deployingan implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel andmethods of using the same.

BACKGROUND

The use of catheter delivery systems for positioning and deployingtherapeutic devices, such as dilation balloons, stents and emboliccoils, in the vasculature of the human body has become a standardprocedure for treating endovascular diseases. It has been found thatsuch devices are particularly useful in treating areas where traditionaloperational procedures are impossible or pose a great risk to thepatient, for example in the treatment of aneurysms in cranial bloodvessels. Due to the delicate tissue surrounding cranial blood vessels,especially for example brain tissue, it is very difficult and oftenrisky to perform surgical procedures to treat defects of the cranialblood vessels. Advancements in catheter deployment systems have providedan alternative treatment in such cases. Some of the advantages ofcatheter delivery systems are that they provide methods for treatingblood vessels by an approach that has been found to reduce the risk oftrauma to the surrounding tissue, and they also allow for treatment ofblood vessels that in the past would have been considered inoperable.

Typically, these procedures involve inserting the distal end of adelivery catheter into the vasculature of a patient and guiding itthrough the vasculature to a predetermined delivery site. A vascularocclusion device, such as an embolic coil, is attached to the end of adelivery member which pushes the coil through the catheter and out ofthe distal end of the catheter into the delivery site. Some of theproblems that have been associated with these procedures relate toensuring the complete release and deployment of the coil. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,071 to Palermo, which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference, describes a detachment system whereby interlocking claspsof the system and the coil are held together by a control wire. Thecontrol wire is moved proximally to disengage the clasps from eachother. However, the system does not include any positive means forseparating the disengaged clasps from each other, so merely retractingthe control wire does not ensure release and deployment of the coil.Numerous other detachment systems currently in use suffer from similarproblems.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 8,062,325 discloses a single tubular carrierto deliver and deploy the vascular occlusion device, but has only asingle compressible section. Therefore, a need remains for a more rapidrelease detachment system or method that can ensure release anddeployment of an implantable medical device. Further advantages could berealized with a detachment system or method incorporating a simple andinexpensive locking and deployment system.

SUMMARY

A detachment system delivers an implantable medical device to a targetlocation of a body vessel with a generally hollow distal tube. Thedistal tube has a proximal end, a distal end, and a compressible portionof the distal tube itself axially movable from a compressed condition toan elongated condition, between the proximal and distal ends. Alsoincludes is a generally hollow proximal tube having a proximal end and adistal end, a coupling disposed between the proximal end of the distaltube and the distal end of the proximal tube, joining the proximal anddistal tubes, and an engagement system engaging and deploying theimplantable medical device engaged at the distal end of the distal tube.The engagement system moves the compressible portion to the compressedcondition when engaging the implantable medical device, and deploys theimplantable medical device and releases the compressible portion to theelongated condition.

In another example, the engagement system can be removably fixed to theproximal end of the distal tube when engaging the implantable medicaldevice to maintain the compressed condition. Also, the engagement systemcan be removably fixed to the proximal end of the proximal tube whenengaging the implantable medical device.

An example of the engagement system has a locking member and a loopwire. When the loop wire interacts with the locking member to engage theimplantable medical device, a force on the loop wire moves thecompressible portion to the compressed condition, and the loop wire iswelded to the proximal end of the distal tube to removably fix theengagement system. A force on the locking member releases the loop wire,disengages the implantable medical device, and allows the compressibleportion to return the elongated condition.

Other examples have the compressible portion of the distal tube as aspiral-cut portion of the distal tube. The compressible portion can beadapted to deploy the implantable medical device engaged by theengagement system when the compressible portion moves to the elongatedcondition. Further, the compressible portion of the distal tube isadapted to automatically/resiliently move to the elongated conditionwhen the engagement system is disengaged from the implantable medicaldevice. The proximal tube can also include a flexible portion of theproximal tube itself, between the proximal and distal ends which isflexible, and the distal tube can comprise a flexible portion of thedistal tube itself, between the proximal end and the compressibleportion, which is flexible.

A further example has the proximal tube partially overlapping thecoupling, the distal tube partially overlapping the coupling, and a gapformed on the coupling between the proximal tube and the distal tubeincludes a weld band to weld the coupling to the proximal tube and thedistal tube. In an example, the coupling is radiopaque.

A method of detaching an implantable medical device, using the examplesabove can include the steps of forming a compressible portion on thedistal tube between the proximal and distal ends, engaging theimplantable medical device with an engagement system, applying a forceto the engagement system to compress the compressible portion, fixingthe engagement system to the distal tube to maintain a compressed state,and joining the distal tube and proximal tube together using thecoupling. As above, the engagement system can be removably fixed to theproximal end of the distal tube.

The detachment method example can further have the step of removablyfixing the engagement system to the proximal end of the proximal tubewhen engaging the implantable medical device. The engagement step caninclude the step of using the loop wire with the locking member toengage the implantable medical device; and the applying step furthercomprises the step of applying force to the loop wire to move thecompressible portion to the compressed condition. Other example stepsinclude applying a force on the locking member, disengaging theimplantable medical device, and allowing the compressible portion toreturn the elongated condition.

Examples of the forming step can include the step of spiral-cutting aportion of the distal tube and the further have the step of deployingthe implantable medical device engaged by moving the compressibleportion to the elongated condition. Additionally, the compressibleportion of the distal tube can be adapted to automatically/resilientlymove to the elongated condition when the engagement system is disengagedfrom the implantable medical device.

Further, the joining step further has the steps of partially overlappingthe proximal tube over the coupling, partially overlapping the distaltube over the coupling, forming a gap on the coupling between theproximal tube and the distal tube comprising a weld band, and weldingthe coupling to the proximal tube and the distal tube at the weld band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further aspects of this invention are further discussedwith reference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structuralelements and features in various figures. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingprinciples of the invention. The figures depict one or moreimplementations of the inventive devices, by way of example only, not byway of limitation.

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of an example of the detachment system ofthe present invention with the medical device partially disengaged;

FIG. 1B is a magnified view of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example of the detachment system of thepresent invention with the medical device engaged;

FIG. 3A is a side perspective view of an example of a loop wireaccording to an example;

FIG. 3B is a plan view of an example of a loop wire according to anotherexample;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective detail view of an opening of the loop wirein an up-turned condition in an alternate example;

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of an example of the detachment system ofthe present invention with the medical device engaged and the loop wiresecured;

FIG. 5B is a magnified view of the loop wire secured to the distal tube;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the proximal and distal tubes overlapping thecoupling;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the proximal and distal tubes welded to thecoupling;

FIG. 8 illustrates the proximal weld at the small tube;

FIG. 9 illustrates the fluoroscopic view of an example of the detachmentsystem;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method of forming the detachment systemof the present invention;

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate the the medical device being detached with apartial cross-section;

FIG. 12 is a side view of an example of the distal tube in thecompressed and expanded state; and

FIG. 13 is a front-side perspective view of an example of the medicaldevice being detached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures illustrate a generally hollow or tubular structure accordingto the present invention. When used herein, the terms “tubular” and“tube” are to be construed broadly and are not limited to a structurethat is a right cylinder or strictly circumferential in cross-section orof a uniform cross-section throughout its length. For example, thetubular structure or system is generally illustrated as a substantiallyright cylindrical structure. However, the tubular system may have atapered or curved outer surface without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

An example of a detachment system 10 of the present invention, asillustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, can have a proximal elongateddelivery hypotube assembly 100, an intermediate coupling 200, and adistal delivery tube 300. An implantable medical device 12 is engaged atone end of the distal delivery tube 300. The implantable medical device12 can be an embolic coil, but it will be appreciated that virtually anyimplantable medical device 12 may be delivered and deployed by thedetachment system 10 according to the present invention. The medicaldevice 12 is engaged to the system using a locking member 140 and a loopwire 400. The medical device 12 has a locking portion 18 to interfacewith an engagement system 140, 400.

The proximal delivery tube 100 can have a proximal end portion 102,distal end portion 104, and a flexible portion 106 in between. Theproximal delivery tube 100 forms an axial lumen 108 therein. Theproximal end 102 engages with a smaller diameter tube 110 (see FIGS. 5A,6-8) along the axial lumen 108. The distal delivery tube 300 can have aproximal end portion 302, distal end portion 304, and between the two, acompressible portion 306. In one example, the compressible portion 306can be closer to the distal end portion 304, and between the proximalend portion 302 and the compressible portion 306 can be a flexibleportion 305. The distal delivery tube 300 forms an axial lumen 308therein.

The delivery tubes 100, 300 can be made of a biocompatible material,such as stainless steel. The tubes 100, 300 can typically have adiameter of between about 0.010 inch and about 0.018 inch, a preferredtube having a diameter of approximately 0.0145 inch. These examples oftube size are suitable for delivering and deploying embolic coils totarget locations, typically aneurysms, within the neurovasculature.Differently sized tubes 100, 300 comprised of other materials may beuseful for different applications and are within the scope of thepresent invention.

The flexible portions 106, 305 allow the delivery tubes 100, 300 to bendand flex. This assists tracking the system 10 through the catheter andthe tortuous path through the human vasculature. The flexible portions106, 306 can be formed with interference spiral cuts. These cuts allowfor gaps to permit bending but in one example, do not act as aspiral-cut spring. Thus, can bend and flex but do not compress.

The compressible portion 306 is axially adjustable between an elongatedcondition and a compressed condition. Preferably, the compressibleportion 306 is formed from a spiral-cut portion of the tube 300, formedby a laser-cutting operation. However, any other arrangement allowingaxial adjustment (e.g., a wound wire or spiral ribbon) is also suitablefor use with detachment systems according to the present invention. Mostpreferably, the compressible portion 306 is in the elongated conditionat rest and automatically or resiliently returns to the elongatedcondition from a compressed condition, unless otherwise constrained. Thefunction of the compressible portion 306 is described in greater detailherein.

An example of the coupling 200 has a proximal section 202, a distalsection 204, a weld band 206 between and an axial lumen 208 therein. Thecoupling 200 bridges both delivery tubes 100, 300, and can provide aradiopaque marking to assist in the alignment of the detachment system10 in a delivery catheter while in clinical use. An example of theintermediate coupling 200 can be a marker band or coil segment.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 illustrate examples of the loop wire 400. The loopwire 400 can be relatively small, having the thickness of a hair in someembodiments, so it may be preferred for it to be entirely shielded bythe distal end 304 of the distal delivery tube 300 to prevent damagefrom accidental contact. The loop wire 400 can be an elongated wire thatis looped, as in FIG. 3A. The loop wire 400 a can also be a singleelongated wire with an opening 405 a, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Theopening 405 a can be formed by loosely bending the loop wire 400 a inhalf. In an alternative example, the loop wire 400 b comprises a flatribbon defining an opening 405 b at a distal portion and the opening 405b can be in an up-turned condition suitable for engaging an end of theimplantable medical device 12. An example of the loop wire 400, 400 a,400 b can be elastically deformable to the up-turned condition such thatit will return to the substantially flat condition when not otherwiseconstrained. The loop wire 400, 400 a, 400 b may be formed from of anyof a number of materials, including nitinol and stainless steel.

To load the detachment system 10, the locking member 140 is insertedaxially within the lumens 108, 208, 308 of both tubes 100, 300 and thecoupling 200. A distal end 404 of the loop wire 400 is inserted into thedistal delivery tube 300 through an anchor portion 310 located on theproximal end 302 of the distal tube 300 and passed through the lumen 308to the distal end 304. The distal end of the loop wire 404 can then belooped to form the opening 405. The opening 405 is passed through thelocking portion 18 and the locking member 140 is passed through theopening 405 to engage the medical device 12. See, FIGS. 1A and 11A.

The loop wire 400 is pulled taught at a proximal end of the loop wire402 and continued force F compresses the compressible portion 306. Theamount of compression can be controlled by the amount of force F appliedto the proximal end 402 of loop wire 400 after the medical device 12 ismounted on the distal end 304 of the distal tube 300. FIGS. 2 and 11Aillustrate the mounted medical device 12 and the distal tube 300 in acompressed state. Once the distal tube 300 is compressed the appropriateamount, the loop wire 400 is anchor welded 408 at wire weld point 406(between the proximal 402 and distal 404 ends) to the proximal end 302(i.e. behind the compressible portion 306) at or approximate to theanchor portion 310 of the distal delivery tube 300. See, FIGS. 5A and5B. The level of compression of the distal delivery tube 300 is adjustedby varying the amount of force F on the loop wire 400 prior to securingthe loop wire 400 in place with the anchor weld 408.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the joining of the proximal delivery tube 100and the distal delivery tube 300 using the coupling 200. FIG. 6illustrates the distal end 104 of the proximal tube 100 being pulledtoward and overlapping the proximal end 202 of the coupling 200.Similarly, the proximal end 302 of the distal tube 300 is pulled towardand overlaps the distal end 204 of the coupling 200. The proximal anddistal tubes 100, 300, in this example, do not come into contact, butleave the weld band 206 as a gap on the coupling 200. The two tubes 100,300 are then circumferentially welded 210 together at the weld band 206to form a unitary device 10. The intermediate coupling 200 bridges bothdelivery tubes 100, 300, as well as provides a radiopaque marking foralignment of the system 10 to a delivery catheter (not illustrated)while in clinical use.

Prior to the overlapping and welding of the two tubes and coupling, 100,200, 300, the the locking member 140 (as discussed above) is pulledthrough the coupling lumen 208 and the proximal tube lumen 108 throughto the small tube 110. At a proximal opening 112 in the small tube 110,opposite the proximal end 102 of the proximal tube 100, the lockingmember 140 is welded 142 to the small tube 110. This is illustrated inFIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates the detachment system 10 in a fluoroscopic view.Given that the coupling 200 and the medical device 12 typically are madeof or have radiopaque markings, it allows for a view of the proximal 100a and distal 300 a tubes having a different contrast from the coupling200 a or the medical device 12 a. This provides visual feedback toindicate when the device 12 a has been released (to be discussed furtherbelow).

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a method of assembling the detachmentsystem 10. The method includes forming the compressible portion 306 onthe distal tube 300 (step 1000) and forming the flexible portion 106 onthe proximal tube 100 (step 1002). Step 1002 can also include formingthe flexible portion 305 on the distal tube 300. The compressibleportion 306 can be formed by spiral cutting the distal tube 300 or byany other means to form a tube that can be compressed and then return toits uncompressed state quickly. The flexible portion 106 of the proximaltube 100 can be interference cut or by any other means to increase theflexibility of the proximal tube 100. Once at least the distal tube 300is ready, the medical device 12 can be engaged with an engagement system140, 400 (step 1004) and a force F can be applied to the engagementsystem 140, 400 to compress the compressible portion 306 (step 1006).Here it is noted that while an example is presented above using thelocking member 140 and the loop wire 400 as an engagement system, one ofordinary skill can realize different methods to secure the medicaldevice 12 while still applying releasable force on the compressibleportions 306 to be released when the engagement system 140, 400 isdisengaged from the medical device 12. A section 406 of the engagementsystem 140, 400 is then engaged to the distal tube 300 to maintain thecompressed state of the compressible portion 306 (step 1008). A portionof the engagement system 140, 400 is threaded through the coupling 200and the proximal tube 100 (step 1010). The distal 300 and proximal tubes100 are joined together using a coupling 200 (step 1012). Here, in thisexample, the ends 104, 302 of the tubes 100, 300 overlap the coupling200 and all three are welded together 210. The end 144 of the engagementsystem 140, 400 can then be joined to a proximal end 102 of the proximaltube 100 (step 1014) to complete the device 10.

Turning to FIGS. 11A-11D, the detachment of the medical device 12 isillustrated in more detail. FIG. 11A illustrates the engagement system140, 400 locked into the locking portion 18 of the medical device 12.The loop wire 400 opening 405 can be placed through the locking portion18. When the locking member 140 is put through the opening 405 themedical device 12 is now secure. Force F was previously applied to placethe distal tube 300 in the compressed state. FIG. 11B illustrates thelocking member 140 being drawn proximally to begin the release sequencefor the medical device 12. FIG. 11C illustrates the instant the lockingmember 140 exits the opening 405 and is pulled free of the loop wire400. The distal end 404 of the loop wire 400 falls away/returns to itspreformed shape (as discussed above) and exits the locking portion 18.As can be seen, there is now nothing holding the medical device 12 tothe detachment system 10. FIG. 11D illustrates the end of the releasesequence. Here, the compressible portion 306 has expanded/returned toits original shape and “sprung” forward. An elastic force E is impartedby the distal end 304 of the distal tube 300 to the medical device 12 to“push” it away to ensure a clean separation and delivery of the medicaldevice 12.

FIG. 12 shows the distal tube 300 illustrated without the medical device12 but with the compressible portion 306 shortened in axial length tothe compressed condition. In particular, a distance “D” is illustratedby which the distal tube 300 is axially foreshortened in moving thecompressible portion 306 from the elongated condition to the compressedcondition. This compression can occur along the axis A. FIG. 13illustrates another view of the medical device 12 at the point ofdetachment. The locking member 140 has been pulled proximally so that itseparated from the loop wire 400, allowing the medical device 12 toseparate as the distal compressed portion 306 expands and furthersseparates the medical device 12 from the delivery system 10. The arrow“E” denotes the elastic force “pushing” the medical device 12 away fromthe distal end 304 to assure a clean separation and delivery to thetarget site inside the patient. The elastic force E acts in the axis Aof the lumen 308 and “pushes” the medical device 12 along the same axisA (see FIGS. 8 and 12).

The descriptions contained herein are examples of embodiments of theinvention and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of theinvention. As described herein, the invention contemplates manyvariations and modifications of the inventive delivery and releasesystem for a vascular occlusion device, including numerousconfigurations, numerous stiffness properties and methods for deliveringthe same. Also, there are many possible variations in the materials andconfigurations of the release mechanism. These modifications would beapparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which thisinvention relates and are intended to be within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A detachment system for delivering an implantablemedical device to a target location of a body vessel, comprising: agenerally hollow distal tube comprising: a proximal end; a distal end;and a compressible portion of the distal tube itself, between theproximal and distal ends which is axially movable from a compressedcondition to an elongated condition; a generally hollow proximal tubehaving a proximal end and a distal end; a coupling disposed inside theproximal end of the distal tube and inside the distal end of theproximal tube, joining the proximal and distal tubes; an engagementsystem engaging and deploying the implantable medical device engaged atthe distal end of the distal tube; wherein the engagement system movesthe compressible portion to the compressed condition when engaging theimplantable medical device, and wherein the engagement system deploysthe implantable medical device and releases the compressible portion tothe elongated condition.
 2. The detachment system of claim 1, whereinthe engagement system is fixed to the proximal end of the distal tubewhen engaging the implantable medical device to maintain the compressedcondition.
 3. The detachment system of claim 2, wherein the engagementsystem comprises: a locking member; and a loop wire, wherein when theloop wire interacts with the locking member to engage the implantablemedical device, a force on the loop wire moves the compressible portionto the compressed condition, and wherein the loop wire is welded to theproximal end of the distal tube to fix the engagement system.
 4. Thedetachment system of claim 3, wherein a force on the locking memberreleases the loop wire, disengages the implantable medical device, andallows the compressible portion to return the elongated condition. 5.The detachment system of claim 1, wherein the compressible portion ofthe distal tube is a spiral-cut portion of the distal tube.
 6. Thedetachment system of claim 1, wherein the compressible portion isadapted to deploy the implantable medical device engaged by theengagement system when the compressible portion moves to the elongatedcondition.
 7. The detachment system of claim 1, wherein the compressibleportion of the distal tube is adapted to automatically/resiliently moveto the elongated condition when the engagement system is disengaged fromthe implantable medical device.
 8. A detachment system for delivering animplantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel,comprising: a generally hollow distal tube comprising: a proximal end; adistal end; and a compressible portion of the distal tube itself,between the proximal and distal ends which is axially movable from acompressed condition to an elongated condition; a generally hollowproximal tube having a proximal end and a distal end; a couplingdisposed between the proximal end of the distal tube and the distal endof the proximal tube, joining the proximal and distal tubes, wherein theproximal tube partially overlaps the coupling, wherein the distal tubepartially overlaps the coupling, wherein a gap formed on the couplingbetween the proximal tube and the distal tube comprises a weld band toweld the coupling to the proximal tube and the distal tube; and anengagement system engaging and deploying the implantable medical deviceengaged at the distal end of the distal tube; wherein the engagementsystem moves the compressible portion to the compressed condition whenengaging the implantable medical device, and wherein the engagementsystem deploys the implantable medical device and releases thecompressible portion to the elongated condition.
 9. The detachmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the coupling is radiopaque.
 10. A detachmentsystem for delivering an implantable medical device to a target locationof a body vessel, comprising: a generally hollow distal tube comprising:a proximal end; a distal end; a compressible portion of the distal tubeitself, between the proximal and distal ends which is axially movablefrom a compressed condition to an elongated condition; and a flexibleportion of the distal tube itself comprising interference cuts, betweenthe proximal end and the compressible portion, which is flexible; agenerally hollow proximal tube comprising: a proximal end; a distal end;and a flexible portion of the proximal tube itself comprisinginterference cuts, between the proximal and distal ends which isflexible; a coupling disposed inside the proximal end of the distal tubeand inside the distal end of the proximal tube, joining the proximal anddistal tubes; and an engagement system engaging and deploying theimplantable medical device engaged at the distal end of the distal tube;wherein the engagement system moves the compressible portion to thecompressed condition when engaging the implantable medical device, andwherein the engagement system deploys the implantable medical device andreleases the compressible portion to the elongated condition.